Megatrends

The most influential Megatrends set to shape the world through 2030, identified by Euromonitor International, help businesses better anticipate market developments and lead change for their industries.

PROSPECTS

Self-service cafeterias experienced a positive performance in 2019, driven by chained operators, which dominated value sales, transactions and outlet numbers, while the smaller category of independent self-service cafeterias continued to decline, somewhat offsetting the higher growth of chained outlets. Independent self-service cafeterias are considered by many to be an outdated concept which is set to compound the decline in their network size over the forecast period, as consumers increasingly demand higher-quality products and services offered by other channels including limited-service restaurants.

Modern grocery retailers increasingly attracted to self-service format to counter competition from food and drink e-commerce

Modern grocery retailers such as hypermarkets and supermarkets are increasingly attracted to the self-service concept, as part of the trend which is seeing a blurring of boundaries between retailing and consumer foodservice. After initiatives by Auchan (where customers are able to purchase a meal from its food counter and complement this with a drink from its grocery aisle), Monoprix and Franprix to open self-service cafeterias in their outlets, Carrefour was encouraged to launch its own version of this concept in 2019.

Changing lifestyles and dietary requirements could support niche areas of self-service cafeterias

Self-service cafeterias also offer an opportunity for more niche food formats to emerge. Biotiful Lunch is a start-up concept that offers a chain of organic self-service cafeterias.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Larger chains forced to make improvements due to competition from dynamic brands such as Vapiano

Self-service cafeterias continued to be led by large chained players such as Agapes Restauration SA (Flunch), followed at some distance by Casino Guichard-Perrachon SA (À la Bonne Heure) and Autogrill SA (Côté France). Many of these chains have struggled towards the end of the review period due to an unstable economy and rising unemployment, despite being located in retail zones with high footfall and which favour their modern concepts.

Carrefour tests new self-service concept with Bon Appétit

Following the success by competing modern grocery retailers to install self-service cafeterias in their outlets, Carrefour decided to test a new restaurant concept called Bon Appétit. The store operates within a 63 sq m space and offers a diverse menu that ranges from salads to sandwiches in addition to specific meals suitable for certain dayparts such as breakfast, lunch and snacking and a takeaway service.

Ikea Restaurant continues to benefit from captive audience

While less dynamic in its value sales growth compared to the consistently strong Vapiano, Ikea Restaurant has been a steady performer in France, benefitting from a captive audience due to the popularity of the IKEA home furnishing stores. Its core offer of meatballs and other Swedish cuisine such as salmon (gravlax) at competitive prices is due to its parent company’s international presence and large size.

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